Wildfires smoke blankets much of British Columbia, part of Alberta

VANCOUVER — Wildfires in British Columbia’s Interior mean only coastal and extreme northern and northeastern corners of the province have escaped a pall of smoke blanketing regions that include the United States border.

The Environment Ministry, in collaboration with local health authorities, has issued a smoky skies bulletin as 198 wildfires chew through just under 400 square kilometres of trees, bush and grasslands.

The bulletin is issued when smoke concentrations in an area could or have reached levels that raise health concerns although the ministry says the amount of smoke can vary dramatically over short periods and over small distances.

A small improvement in wildfire conditions early Wednesday is reflected in the Air Quality Health Index, with most regions ranked at a low to moderate health risk.